Grand Slam
	Baseball European Championships 2007

Compiled and Copyright © 1997-2007 by Marco Stoovelaar

Dutch treat in EC-opener
Nederlands
BARCELONA (Spain) - The European Championships/Olympic Qualifier in Spain opened op Friday-evening with the game between host Spain and Great Britain, which got a Dutch treat. In the opener, Dutchman Edwin van den Berk was the Home Plate Umpire, while Linda Steijger was one of the two Official Scorers.

Before the game, the Opening Ceremony was held with the teams being represented by their flags only instead of the group of players. The European hymn was then sung by Victor Esteve, the winner of 'Operacion Triumfo', the Spanish version of an 'Idols'-like show. Hereafter, Martin Miller, President of the European Baseball Federation (CEB) opened the event, followed by the throwing of the ceremonial first pitch by a young Spanish player named Juan.
(September 7)